NEW: Defining month for basketball newboys Basket Hounds

Tinashe Kusema

FEBRUARY could turn out to be a defining month for Harare Basketball Association (HBA) Super Six newboys Basket Hounds.

The Vitalis Chikoko co-owned outfit will clash with JBC, Arcadia Bucs and Harare giants Leopards Academy on February 11, 17 and 21, respectively.

JBC are the all-conquering and reigning champions of the Super Six format, having gone an entire season without tasting defeat in the league last term.

During that trailblazing run, which coincided with the introduction of the new format, the Addison Chiware-coached side only tasted defeat once all season on their way to a league and cup (National League) double.

JBC then went further than any Zimbabwean team in the qualifying stages of the Basketball Africa League (BAL).

Basket Hounds co-founder, club chairperson and head coach Tawanda Nemutambwa is well aware of the threat JBC poses, having faced them both as a player and coach.

“JBC are indeed a force to reckon,” said the 32-year-old Nemutambwa.

“I have so much respect for their head coach Addison Chiware, as he has done so many great things with this team.”

Hounds are already punching way above their weight, as they have been part of a two-horse race for the Super Six title over the past 12 weeks alongside JBC.

Going into this weekend’s matches, Hounds were second on the HBA Super Six Log standings with 19 points from 12 games.

JBC sit at the apex with 21 points but have played a game less.

The reigning champions tasted their first defeat of the season last week, narrowly going down 50-51 to bogey side Arcadia Bucs.

Coincidentally, Bucs is the only team to have defeated JBC since the Super Six format’s inception.

The Viv Emmanuel-coached side have done it twice now.

They beat JBC during last season’s National League preliminary round and once in the league this time around.

Hounds also have a date against Arcadia-based outfit, after which they will complete their tricky schedule with a clash against former giants Leopards Academy.

JBC’s recent defeat has given Hounds and every other team in the league hope.

It has also opened the championship race wider.

“Yeah, it certainly did open the race wider,” said the Hounds coach.

“With the transfer period just closing, I’m sure most teams have bolstered their squads and, as such, will look to make a statement when they face JBC and every other club in the Super Six.

“We are only 12 weeks into the season and there are still a lot more games to play, and a lot more twists and turns to come.

“We want to remain grounded, as far as targets and expectations go, so surviving the chop and qualifying for the National League remains the main goal.

“Winning the title will be a bonus,” he said.

When Nemutambwa and Chikoko first conceived the idea of starting their own club, their ambitions lay beyond the country’s borders.

Making their mark on the continent is the main goal, with the BAL being the main target.

However, for all that to happen, Hounds will have to survive relegation, qualify for the National League and make it through the rigorous play-off and qualifying stages of the BAL.

That in itself is an administrative headache.

JBC and Mercenaries have already tried and failed, but Hounds’ management appears to be more determined than ever to make it to the BAL.

“It is one of the main visions we had when we founded this club, and it remains the ultimate goal.

“Only time will tell when or whether that dream comes true,” he said.